As part of the Chinese New Year celebrations for 10 days I thought I would share some more interesting facts about Chinese legends. As I shared in my last post the Chinese legend about the animals is the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. A contest was held and it was agreed that whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish. The gods were asked to decide. The twelve animals gathered at the riverbank and they jumped in. The ox did not know but the rat had jumped upon his back. Just as the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, therefore winning the race. The pig was very lazy and ended up last. This explains why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle and the ox second.
The following are the animals representing the zodiac chart as well as the years they were celebrated. I also wanted to share the Chinese legend about what each animal represents in their culture. I also found a few famous people born during those years.

Rat –1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996: Famous people born these years were Wolfgang Mozart, William Shakespeare, and George Washington. It is said that a rat is imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the person they love. However, they have a tendency to be quick-tempered and overly critical. They are inclined to be somewhat of an opportunist. Born under this sign, they should be happy in sales or as a writer, critic, or publicist.
Ox – 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997: Famous people born these years were Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Richard Nixon, Rosa Parks, and Vincent Van Gogh. It is said that an ox is a born leader and they inspire confidence from all around them. They are conservative, methodical, and good with their hands. They should guard against being chauvinistic and always demanding their own way. Professions the ox would do well in are as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser.
Tiger – 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998: Famous people born these years were Judy Blume, Emily Dickinson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Marilyn Monroe, Marco Polo, and Beatrix Potter. It is said a tiger is sensitive, emotional, and capable of great love. However, a tiger has a tendency to get carried away and be stubborn about what he or she thinks is right. A tiger is often seen as losing its temper or being rebellious. Professions would be excellent as a boss, explorer, racecar driver, or matador.
Rabbit - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999: Famous People Born in the Year of the Rabbit are Michael Jordan and Drew Barrymore. Rabbits are the kind of people that others like to be around. They are affectionate, obliging and always pleasant. Rabbits have a tendency though to get too sentimental and seem superficial. Being cautious and conservative, Rabbits are successful in business but would also make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor.
Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000: Famous people born those years are Louisa May Alcott, Susan B. Anthony, Joan of Arc, and Florence Nightingale. A dragon is full of vitality and enthusiasm. The Dragon is a popular individual even with the reputation of being foolhardy and at times a "big mouth." A dragon is intelligent, gifted, and a perfectionist but these qualities make them unduly demanding on others. A dragon would be well-suited to be an artist, priest, or politician.
Snake – 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001: Some famous people born those years are Liz Claiborne, Anne Frank, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and Edgar Allen Poe. A snake is rich in wisdom and charm. This person is romantic and a deep thinker and their intuition guides them strongly. These people need to avoid procrastination and stingy attitudes toward money. A snake keeps their sense of humor about life. The Snake would be most happy as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, or fortune teller.
Horse – 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002: Some famous people born these years are Chopin, Davy Crockett, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and Teddy Roosevelt. As a horse your capacity for hard work is amazing. A horse is their own person and is very independent. While, intelligent and friendly, they have a strong guard against being egotistical. Their sign suggests success as an adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician.
Goat – 1919,1931,1943,1955,1967,1979,1991,2003: Famous people born those years are Michelangelo, Mark Twain, Barbara Walters and Orville Wright. Goats have the tendency to always get off on the wrong foot with people but the Goat can be charming company. They are elegant and artistic but the first to complain about things. A Goat needs to put aside their pessimism and worry and try to be less dependent on material comforts. A Goat would be best as an actor, gardener, or beachcomber.
Monkey- 1920,1932,1944,1956,1968,1980,1992, 2004: Some famous people born those years are Julius Caesar, Annie Oakley, Eleanor Roosevelt, Betsy Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Harry S. Truman, and Leonardo da Vinci. As a monkey you are very intelligent and have very clever wit. Because of their extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, they are always well-liked. The Monkey however should guard against begin an opportunist and distrustful of other people. A monkey should find success in any field you try.
Rooster-1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005: Some famous people born these years are Catherine the Great, Amelia Earhart and Groucho Marx. The Rooster is found to be a hard worker; shrewd and definite in decision making. A Rooster often speaks their mind. Because of this a Rooster tends to seem boastful to others. A Rooster is a dreamer, flashy dresser and extravagant to an extreme. A Rooster should be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier, or world traveler.
Dog –1910,1922,1934,1946,1958,1970,1982, 1994, 2006: Some famous people born during these years are Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Benjamin Franklin, Herbert Hoover, and Socrates. The Dog is said to never let you down. As a Dog you are honest and faithful to those you love. However, you are plagued by constant worry, a sharp tongue and a tendency to find faults. As a Dog you would make an excellent businessman, activist, teacher, or secret agent.
Boar –1911,1923,1935,1947,1959,1971,1983, 2007: Some famous people born these years are Lucille Ball, Ernest Hemingway and Mahalia Jackson. As a Boar, you are a splendid companion. You are an intellectual with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. You are found to be sincere, tolerant, and honest but by expecting the same from others. You are incredibly naive. Your search and quest for material goods could be your downfall. The Boar would be best in the profession of the arts as an entertainer. A Boar could possibly be best as a lawyer.